Dozens of Israeli and Palestinian families whose children and relatives have fallen in
the conflict met in Gaza on October 17. The meeting was sponsored by the
"Bereaved Parents' Circle" established by Yitzhak Frankenthal whose son, Arik,
was abducted and murdered by Hamas terrorists.

Meetings between families who have experienced the pain and suffering, but have
nevertheless transcended hate and animosity, give room for hope that it will, eventually,
be possible to live in peace side by side in mutual respect and without hostility. The
loss of a close family member is sobering for families on both sides of the border. Many
ask: "Until when? Does the price justify the means? Have we done enough to change
things?"

One of the participating parents said: "We have paid the highest possible price,
we want to prevent others from experiencing the same pain."

Yehuda Waxman whose son, Nahshon, was abducted and murdered by terrorists, met
Ahmad Jadla, brother of Jadla Jadla, who murdered his son. Ahmad and Yehuda share the view
that terror will lead nowhere and that the establishment of peace is the only realistic
option in the prevailing situation. The message sent to extremists during the meeting was
loud and clear: "Terror will not win. This is not the way."

In the short tour of Gaza, suffering, poverty and deprivation were visible everywhere -
but no hatred. As a Palestinian mother noted "We do not hate you, we hate what you
have done to us". Would any other normal human being have felt otherwise? General
Nasser Youssouf hosted the group in the former notorious Administration Building, now the
headquarters of the Palestinian Authority. He expressed his deep commitment to the peace
process.

The call for peace came from the grassroots; no politicians took part in the meeting.
These kinds of meetings are intended to help change public opinion and spread the
call to support peace between the two nations. The emotion felt at the meeting between the
families, the emphasis on mutuality, the understanding between mothers and fathers on both
sides of the border and the deep yearning for peace and friendship must be conveyed to
Israelis and Palestinians.